Well now. I've been back to Sandinistas plenty since my last penning, and I have to admit, in all…read morethat time I'd only back for drinkies. Excellent, raucous, rambunctious, drinkies. The kind where you probably tried to dance on a table, the kind where you definitely felt as though your neck was broken the next day from head banging, the kind where you almost certainly meet a squadron on new best friends because you're having that good a time. (And it's as much to do with the awesome clientele, as the drunkenness, I can tell you.)
So, yes. Go to Sandinista for drinks. I know, it's always busy on a weekend. But once you get in there you'll have an amazing time, I'm certain of it. The music policy includes all the classics, something to suit most tastes, without venturing down the processed pop route in any shape or form. They also have regular live music, I believe, which is also commendable.
However, you mightn't have noticed, they also serve food. What's that? Yes. Where have you been?! (That question is mostly directed at my own foolish self.) They serve the most excellent tapas. Of course, you can go down the route of fajitas, and such like, but on this occasion I wanted a range of foods to stuff.
Oh my word. So, firstly, a special mention must be made of the mushrooms in peppercorn sauce. They were absolutely flipping divine - perfectly cooked, soaked in flavour, and the sauce was out of this world. The meatballs were also fabulous, with a delicious tomato sauce, and the garlic bread was beautiful. The crispy pork belly was wonderful, and came with an amazing apricot (?) compote (?!). The patatas were also addictively tasty, especially with melted cheese and spring onion.
Of course, the service was fantastic, as ever, but the discovery that there's yet another place to eat fantastically made, freshly cooked, delicious bites is the thing I'll be shouting about for the moment. Dishes come in around £4, which makes it incredibly affordable to try a few different things, and perhaps even splash out on one of their yummy cocktails. Of course, there's the danger that you'd go for tea and not quite make it out until 4am, but hey -it wouldn't be such a bad thing would it? In fact, top idea Batman, Sherlock and Brian Cox, you geniuses. Even the door signage says, "You can check out any time you like but you can never leave." Of course, I'm thinking The Eagles must have been to Leeds. And, given half the chance, I'd say this to be true. I checked-in, but my mind clearly hasn't left them yet. Nom.
